When I first saw Billy Childs perform he was playing with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's group. It was the Keystone Corner where jazz artists come to play Tuesday through Sunday. I was a budding jazz pianist back then and Billy's playing captivated me like few others. He was listening to the others play, reacting to their solos that gave meaning to the song.. not just playing a stream of notes. It was Ravel, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock, Keith Emerson and a hundred other influences being heard all at once.
I went every night and listened through the peep hole door with a dozen other people who couldn't afford to go every night. I still have a clear picture in my head of Billy and his performance. Fast forward 20 years and I had become a recording engineer / producer working on a project with Paul Hanson, bassoonist. Paul was recording his album for a Japanese label at Chick Corea's studio in Los Angeles. Chick had the only studio with a decent piano in LA. Not one, but two... a 9' Steinway and 9' Bosendorfer. In walks Billy Childs.
Billy was the nicest, sweetest guy in the world and I was a HUGE fan. It was an incredible honor to meet someone I admired so much and be able to work with him on that level. Billy was stunning as I could imagine he would be on Paul's session -- as was Paul and the others. Billy and I are Facebook friends so I get to follow his travels on earth and accomplishments. Now that he's part of the Mack Avenue Records jazz family we release his recordings.... beautiful as ever.
I wish I remembered the name of that album of Paul Hanson's... I wonder if it's still available? I'll ask.
